California TeachScience Mathematics Initiative(CaTEACH-SMI)

The California Teach Science/Mathematics Initiative (CaTEACH-SMI) is a new UC program initiated by an agreement between
the Governor of California and the University of California President.

MISSION:

To increase the number of highly qualified teachers in science and mathematics annually into California classrooms.

GOALS:

To encourage and create multiple pathways for students interested in science, mathematics, and engineering to consider
teaching as a career

To facilitate in and advising of students toward completing a Bachelor's degree in science, mathematics, or engineering
along with the possibility of establishing eligibility towards entrance into an intern teaching credential program

To engage students in peer-mentorship opportunities to develop and enrich professional networking systems

To provide courses that include an introduction to schools and teaching as a profession, cultural diversity,
and education and educational psychology

To provide field experiences in K-12 classrooms with supervised "mentor teachers" focusing on discipline-specific
teaching methods to meet state teacher credentialing requirements

To provide information about financial incentives, including loan-forgiveness programs

To provide information on credential requirements

To prepare students in areas related to career planning

Why is NOW the time to prepare for a career in teaching science and mathematics?

There is currently a critical shortfall of qualified science and mathematics teachers in California classrooms.
Because of this shortage, prospective science and mathematics teachers are extremely competitive in securing positions
soon after graduation.
They are able to:

find internship jobs immediately upon graduation at salaries comparable to entry-level credentialed teachers;
these intern opportunities often lead to permanent teaching positions

find job openings in the school district of their desire

gain negotiating power in determining their starting permanent salaries

become emerging leaders in the school districts and communities

benefit from the financial incentives, including loan-forgiveness programs, offered through the government